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Blackstone wants new bite at Allied restaurants

Mark Kleinman

June 19 2005, 1:00am, The Sunday Times

Blackstone, which had been part of the Constellation-led consortium that pulled out of the race for Allied on Friday, is seeking talks with Pernod Ricard, the French company that now looks certain to win control of Allied, owner of brands such as Malibu rum and Beefeater gin.

The private-equity giant is thought to have participated in the Constellation bid to get its hands on Allied’s restaurants arm, which includes Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins.

A deal would cost Blackstone some £1.1billion, say analysts. It will face stiff competition from other private-equity firms as well as a number of interested trade buyers. Blackstone declined to comment.

The restaurants business is seen as non-core by Pernod, which will become the world’s second-biggest wine-and-spirits company if it gains…